Moroccan Roll

Brand X began around the trio of guitarist John Goodsall, keyboardist Robin Lumely and bassist Percy Jones. Of course, having Phil Collins in the drummer's seat didn't hurt their prospects either, but Brand X was truly a collective, and Collins was, lest we forget, one helluva drummer. They first teamed up during sessions for The eddie howell Gramophone Record in 1975, and then again on Lumely's album with Jack Lancaster (of Blodwyn Pig fame), Marscape. Though earlier recordings exist, the first Brand X album proper was recorded and released in 1976. Unorthodox Behaviour was a rather predictable set of fusion: slightly funky, excellent in execution and for the most part, forgetful. Their follow-up, Moroccan Roll, however, is another matter. The caliber of Brand X of course was never in question; the band members were all well-known session musicians in their own right. Here the compositions make great use of this potential, following little formula but their own. Percussionist extraordinaire Morris Pert had joined their ranks, adding his unique talent to the band's vibrant sound. Gone is the fusion cliché and in is something much more original and exciting. The opening track "Sun In The Night" features Collins' making a rare vocal appearance (for Brand X anyway), and in Sanskrit nonetheless. His "Why Should I Lend You Mine" makes great use of space; the interplay never gets too congested. Goodsall is a blistering guitarist. His "Hate Zone" is funky, while his "Macrocosm" traverses the ethereal. Lumley's "Disco Suicide" offers a more conventional melody to which the band coalesces. Jones offers his manic bass work throughout, and a more typical fusion on "Malaga Virgen". The album, released by Charisma Records (and Passport in the US), rose to No. 37 in the UK charts. The band traveled to the US and Canada to tour, with Collins now dividing his time between both Genesis and Brand X as best he could. Like an ever-revolving door, Brand X in one lineup or another (and sometimes two) continued on and released a few more albums, all of similar quality and interest, over the ensuing years. Shortly after the turn of the decade however, the band finally collapsed, their final two albums just compilations of previously recorded outtakes.